The Milwaukee Bucks have been a home for project players in recent seasons, with Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins both taking advantage of the opportunity in Wisconsin. Former Marquette alum Olivier-Maxence Prosper has been waived by the Dallas Mavericks and could be the team's next project player.
Prosper is a former first-round pick, taken 24th in the 2023 NBA Draft. Still just 23 years old, there is a chance for him to find his way back into the NBA as a rotational player. Milwaukee has experienced significant turnover on its roster this offseason, and this could be another move they make to keep the ball rolling.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper fits the Bucks' new identity
Milwaukee has gone down the route of relying on younger, more athletic, and versatile players this summer, as they struggled in recent seasons with an aging roster. Prosper fits the new identity as a 6-foot-8 wing that can guard multiple positions.
Across two seasons in the NBA, Prosper has averaged 3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds on shooting splits of .396/.260/.658. He wouldn't come in as a key rotational piece straight away, but there are positive signs of a player who can grow in the NBA. His 3-point shooting could ultimately be something that hampers his career. The Milwaukee Bucks have surrounded Giannis Antetokounmpo with a plethora of options that have the edge over Prosper.
Milwaukee has found gems in the buy-low market. Porter and Rollins became two solid guard options. A.J. Green has gone from a two-way player to one of the best sharpshooters in the NBA. Gary Trent Jr. is on his second contract with the team, which once again is perhaps the steal of the offseason. There is another one potentially out there looking for an opportunity to prove himself.
Bringing in Prosper will not suddenly make the team a contender, but he has tools that the Bucks can still use. Should they part ways with a wing via a trade or waiver, Prosper is there to bring in a player on a really cheap deal, and if it doesn't work out, the Milwaukee Bucks can move on next summer. It's the definition of a low-risk move.
Thanasis' return was clearly something that had been in the pipeline, but that signing makes it feel like Jon Horst and the front office are working on something bigger that could really shake up the roster.